University of Twente Student Theses
An Exploration of Coordination Behaviour Patterns During The Apollo 13 Mission
Ryzhova, Elena (2024) An Exploration of Coordination Behaviour Patterns During The Apollo 13 Mission.
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| Abstract: | Background: This study investigates coordination behaviour patterns during the Apollo 13 mission to understand how action teams adapt their coordination strategies in response to crises. The mission’s transformation from routine space exploration to critical crisis management provided a unique context for examining shifts between explicit and implicit coordination behaviours and their effectiveness in emergent situations. Methods: Using a quantitative case study approach, this study analysed air-to-ground voice loop transcripts during the Apollo 13 mission. Coordination behaviours were systematically coded using a pre-set codebook. T-pattern analysis through THEME software was employed to identify recurrent coordination patterns, which were further visualised using the PlantUML tool. Results: The analysis revealed distinct shifts in coordination patterns from pre-crisis to during-crisis phases. Before the accident, coordination patterns were relatively simple (i.e., consisting of relatively few layers and behaviours) and procedural. In contrast, during the crisis, there was a significant increase in the complexity and frequency of explicit coordination behaviours, indicative of the team’s adaptive strategies to manage the unfolding emergency. These patterns underscored a critical reliance on robust, explicit communication to ensure team alignment under rapidly changing conditions. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that effective crisis management hinges on flexible and complex coordination behaviours capable of adapting to new, uncertain, or rapidly evolving situations. This study contributes to theoretical models of team dynamics, offering insights into the design of training protocols and communication frameworks for action teams in high-stakes environments. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 70 social sciences in general |
| Programme: | Educational Science and Technology MSc (60023) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/98895 |
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